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Re: understood, but then why are caps directional ...

139.134.222.163

Posted by Trevor Wilson on December 2, 1999 at 18:10:26

In Reply to: understood, but then why are caps directional ... posted by Mart on December 2, 1999 at 11:26:22:

Since we are talking about loudspeakers, then it is best to confine our analogy to audio, in general and speakers, specifically.

Speakers are (or should) only be subjected to AC signals. AC suggests that any component must be capable of dealing with AC. This excludes such devices as: Diodes, polarised capacitors and the like. In fact, connecting a polarised capacitor in a speaker crossover, will ensure it's destruction.

Because a speaker is a 'floating' system, it has no ground reference, until it is connected to an item which is grounded. Consider the aspect of an amplifier with no grounded output terminal. Such amps may be: Bridged amps, of any technology, some SS amps and some tube amps. If there was any possibility that capacitors 'preferred' to be connected in a certain way, then by using any of the above-mentioned amps, would be useless.

Since loudspeakers are low impedance devices, pick up of external energy is unlikely to effect them, except under extreme (really extreme) circumstances. It is likely that the voice coil of the driver and wiring, itself, would be more likely to contribute than a simple crossover component, under such (extreme) circumstances, anyway. Shielding the entire loudspeaker and speaker cables would be mandatory, under such conditions, anyway. In any case, as discussed, earlier, speakers are 'balanced' devices. As such, there is no ground reference, until it is connected to a ground reference.

Coupling caps (AFIK) can be connected in any orientation. Decoupling and bypass caps MAY benefit from specific orientation. Speakers do not fit these categories.

By all means use the foil type inductors (they are excellent, BTW), but don't worry about orientation.

Trevor

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